Urologic prosthetics: an imaging review of short- and long-term complications.

Abstract

Urologic prosthetics offer significant quality of life enhancements for patients with stress urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction. Artificial urinary sphincter and penile prosthesis are the most commonly used prosthetics for these patients. Radiographic imaging offers important insight, guiding treatment when patients present with complications. Herein, we pictorialize normal radiographic findings and complications alike. We reviewed our IRB-approved prosthetics database, highlighting patients with prosthetic complications with available imaging. We collected imaging from patients without complications for baseline reference. The radiographic appearance of orthotopic genitourinary prosthetics and a review of short- and long-term complications including hematoma, infection, malpositioning, leak and erosion are pictorialized. Radiologic imaging serves as a vital complement to history and physical examination, aiding in the identification of complications and potentially streamlining surgical preparations. It is important for radiologists to familiarize themselves with standard prosthetic nomenclature, normal positioning and appearance, along with imaging findings of common complications.